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Chen YC, Zheng G, Donner DG, Wright DK, Greenwood JP, Marwick TH, McMullen JR. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging for sequential assessment of cardiac fibrosis in mice: technical advancements and reverse translation. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2024; 326:H1-H24. [PMID: 37921664 PMCID: PMC11213480 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00437.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging has become an essential technique for the assessment of cardiac function and morphology, and is now routinely used to monitor disease progression and intervention efficacy in the clinic. Cardiac fibrosis is a common characteristic of numerous cardiovascular diseases and often precedes cardiac dysfunction and heart failure. Hence, the detection of cardiac fibrosis is important for both early diagnosis and the provision of guidance for interventions/therapies. Experimental mouse models with genetically and/or surgically induced disease have been widely used to understand mechanisms underlying cardiac fibrosis and to assess new treatment strategies. Improving the appropriate applications of CMR to mouse studies of cardiac fibrosis has the potential to generate new knowledge, and more accurately examine the safety and efficacy of antifibrotic therapies. In this review, we provide 1) a brief overview of different types of cardiac fibrosis, 2) general background on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), 3) a summary of different CMR techniques used in mice for the assessment of cardiac fibrosis including experimental and technical considerations (contrast agents and pulse sequences), and 4) provide an overview of mouse studies that have serially monitored cardiac fibrosis during disease progression and/or therapeutic interventions. Clinically established CMR protocols have advanced mouse CMR for the detection of cardiac fibrosis, and there is hope that discovery studies in mice will identify new antifibrotic therapies for patients, highlighting the value of both reverse translation and bench-to-bedside research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Ching Chen
- Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Baker Department of Cardiometabolic Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Diabetes, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Gang Zheng
- Monash Biomedical Imaging, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Daniel G Donner
- Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Baker Department of Cardiometabolic Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Diabetes, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - David K Wright
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - John P Greenwood
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas H Marwick
- Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Baker Department of Cardiometabolic Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
- Department of Cardiology, Royal Hobart Hospital, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Julie R McMullen
- Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Baker Department of Cardiometabolic Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Diabetes, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Microbiology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
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Comparison of transient and permanent LAD ligation in mice using 18F-FDG PET imaging. Ann Nucl Med 2022; 36:533-543. [PMID: 35355159 PMCID: PMC9132804 DOI: 10.1007/s12149-022-01734-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Objective Animal models for myocardial injuries represent important cornerstones in cardiovascular research to monitor the pathological processes and therapeutic approaches. We investigated the association of 18F-FDG derived left ventricular metabolic volume (LVMV), defect area and cardiac function in mice after permanent or transient ligation of the left anterior descending artery (LAD). Methods Serial non-invasive ECG-gated 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-d-glucose positron emission tomography (18F-FDG PET) after permanent or transient LAD ligation enabled a longitudinal in vivo correlation of 18F-FDG derived left ventricular metabolic volume to functional parameters and myocardial defect. Results The LVMV shows a more prominent drop after permanent than transient LAD ligation and recovers after 30 days. The loss of LVMV correlates with the defect area assessed by QPS software. Cardiac function parameters (e.g., EDV, ESV, SV) by the QGS software positively correlate with LVMV after permanent and transient LAD ligation. Conclusions This study provides novel insight into 18F-FDG derived LVMV after permanent and transient LAD ligation by longitudinal in 18F-FDG PET imaging and underlines the associations of the FDG derived parameter and cardiac function. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12149-022-01734-8.
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Lindsey ML, Brunt KR, Kirk JA, Kleinbongard P, Calvert JW, de Castro Brás LE, DeLeon-Pennell KY, Del Re DP, Frangogiannis NG, Frantz S, Gumina RJ, Halade GV, Jones SP, Ritchie RH, Spinale FG, Thorp EB, Ripplinger CM, Kassiri Z. Guidelines for in vivo mouse models of myocardial infarction. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2021; 321:H1056-H1073. [PMID: 34623181 PMCID: PMC8834230 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00459.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Revised: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Despite significant improvements in reperfusion strategies, acute coronary syndromes all too often culminate in a myocardial infarction (MI). The consequent MI can, in turn, lead to remodeling of the left ventricle (LV), the development of LV dysfunction, and ultimately progression to heart failure (HF). Accordingly, an improved understanding of the underlying mechanisms of MI remodeling and progression to HF is necessary. One common approach to examine MI pathology is with murine models that recapitulate components of the clinical context of acute coronary syndrome and subsequent MI. We evaluated the different approaches used to produce MI in mouse models and identified opportunities to consolidate methods, recognizing that reperfused and nonreperfused MI yield different responses. The overall goal in compiling this consensus statement is to unify best practices regarding mouse MI models to improve interpretation and allow comparative examination across studies and laboratories. These guidelines will help to establish rigor and reproducibility and provide increased potential for clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merry L Lindsey
- Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, Center for Heart and Vascular Research, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
- Research Service, Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Keith R Brunt
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
| | - Jonathan A Kirk
- Department of Cell and Molecular Physiology, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Petra Kleinbongard
- Institute for Pathophysiology, West German Heart and Vascular Center, University of Essen Medical School, Essen, Germany
| | - John W Calvert
- Carlyle Fraser Heart Center of Emory University Hospital Midtown, Atlanta, Georgia
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Lisandra E de Castro Brás
- Department of Physiology, The Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina
| | - Kristine Y DeLeon-Pennell
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
- Research Service, Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Dominic P Del Re
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey
| | - Nikolaos G Frangogiannis
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, The Wilf Family Cardiovascular Research Institute, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
| | - Stefan Frantz
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Richard J Gumina
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio
- The Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Ganesh V Halade
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, Department of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida
| | - Steven P Jones
- Department of Medicine, Diabetes and Obesity Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Rebecca H Ritchie
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University (Parkville Campus), Victoria, Australia
| | - Francis G Spinale
- Cardiovascular Translational Research Center, University of South Carolina School of Medicine and the Columbia Veteran Affairs Medical Center, Columbia, South Carolina
| | - Edward B Thorp
- Department of Pathology and Feinberg Cardiovascular and Renal Research Institute, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Crystal M Ripplinger
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Davis, California
| | - Zamaneh Kassiri
- Department of Physiology, Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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Fischer M, Zacherl MJ, Weckbach L, Paintmayer L, Weinberger T, Stark K, Massberg S, Bartenstein P, Lehner S, Schulz C, Todica A. Cardiac 18F-FDG Positron Emission Tomography: An Accurate Tool to Monitor In vivo Metabolic and Functional Alterations in Murine Myocardial Infarction. Front Cardiovasc Med 2021; 8:656742. [PMID: 34113662 PMCID: PMC8185215 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.656742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiac monitoring after murine myocardial infarction, using serial non-invasive cardiac 18F-FDG positron emissions tomography (PET) represents a suitable and accurate tool for in vivo studies. Cardiac PET imaging enables tracking metabolic alterations, heart function parameters and provides correlations of the infarct size to histology. ECG-gated 18F-FDG PET scans using a dedicated small-animal PET scanner were performed in mice at baseline, 3, 14, and 30 days after myocardial infarct (MI) by permanent ligation of the left anterior descending (LAD) artery. The percentage of the injected dose per gram (%ID/g) in the heart, left ventricular metabolic volume (LVMV), myocardial defect, and left ventricular function parameters: end-diastolic volume (EDV), end-systolic volume (ESV), stroke volume (SV), and the ejection fraction (EF%) were estimated. PET assessment of the defect positively correlates with post-infarct histology at 3 and 30 days. Infarcted murine hearts show an immediate decrease in LVMV and an increase in %ID/g early after infarction, diminishing in the remodeling process. This study of serial cardiac PET scans provides insight for murine myocardial infarction models by novel infarct surrogate parameters. It depicts that serial PET imaging is a valid, accurate, and multimodal non-invasive assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maximilian Fischer
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik I, Klinikum der Universität München, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany.,DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany
| | - Mathias J Zacherl
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Ludwig Weckbach
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik I, Klinikum der Universität München, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany.,DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany
| | - Lisa Paintmayer
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Tobias Weinberger
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik I, Klinikum der Universität München, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany.,DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany
| | - Konstantin Stark
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik I, Klinikum der Universität München, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany.,DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany
| | - Steffen Massberg
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik I, Klinikum der Universität München, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany.,DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany
| | - Peter Bartenstein
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Sebastian Lehner
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich, Munich, Germany.,Ambulatory Healthcare Center Dr. Neumaier & Colleagues, Radiology, Nuclear Medicine, Radiation Therapy, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Christian Schulz
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik I, Klinikum der Universität München, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany.,DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany
| | - Andrei Todica
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich, Munich, Germany
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Johnson LC, Guerraty MA, Moore SC, Metzler SD. Quantification of defect contrast in microSPECT imaging of a myocardial phantom. Phys Med Biol 2020; 65:175001. [PMID: 32369789 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6560/ab9065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Ischemic heart disease remains a significant public health concern, accentuating the importance of basic research and therapeutic studies of small animals in which myocardial changes can be reproducibly detected and quantified. Few or no studies have investigated the performance of microSPECT in quantifying myocardial lesions. We utilized three versions of a multi-compartment phantom containing two left ventricular myocardial compartments (one uniform and one with a transmural 'cold' defect), a ventricular blood pool, and a background compartment, where each version had a different myocardial wall thickness (0.75, 1.0 and 1.25 mm). Each compartment was imaged separately while acquiring list-mode data. The separate compartment data were manipulated into a single data set with a known defect contrast, blood-pool and background activity. Data were processed with background-free defect-contrast values of 0 (no defect), -0.25, -0.5, -0.75, and -1.0 (all defect), three ratios of blood-pool to myocardial activity, 0 (no blood pool activity), 0.1, and 0.2 (20% of the activity in the healthy myocardial compartment), and three ratios of uniform background 0 (no background activity), 0.1 and 0.2, relative to the healthy myocardial compartment. For each wall thickness, defect contrast, blood-pool, and background activity combination, 25 list-mode noise realizations were generated and reconstructed. Volumes of interest were drawn and used to determine mean contrast recovery coefficients (CRCs) over the noise ensembles. We developed a slope-analysis procedure to estimate a single CRC over all contrast levels, with resulting CRC values (for no blood-pool and no background) of 0.848, 0.946, and 0.834 for the 0.75, 1.0, and 1.25 mm wall thicknesses, respectively. We also determined and validated a reprocessing method to calculate an ideal CRC. This work demonstrates the quantitative abilities of microSPECT for myocardial-defect imaging utilizing CRC and establishes a framework for evaluating defect-imaging capabilities in other systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay C Johnson
- Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America
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McDonald H, Peart J, Kurniawan ND, Galloway G, Royce SG, Samuel CS, Chen C. Hexarelin targets neuroinflammatory pathways to preserve cardiac morphology and function in a mouse model of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion. Biomed Pharmacother 2020; 127:110165. [PMID: 32403043 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2020.110165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2020] [Revised: 03/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute myocardial ischemia and reperfusion injury (IRI) underly the detrimental effects of coronary heart disease on the myocardium. Despite the ongoing advances in reperfusion therapies, there remains a lack of effective therapeutic strategies for preventing IRI. Growth hormone secretagogues (GHS) have been demonstrated to improve cardiac function, attenuate inflammation and modulate the autonomic nervous system (ANS) in models of cardiovascular disease. Recently, we demonstrated a reduction in infarct size after administration of hexarelin (HEX), in a murine model of myocardial infarction. In the present study we employed a reperfused ischemic (IR) model, to determine whether HEX would continue to have a cardioprotective influence in a model of higher clinical relevance. Myocardial ischemia was induced by transient ligation of the left descending coronary artery (tLAD) in C57BL/6 J mice followed by HEX (0.3 mg/kg/day; n = 20) or vehicle (VEH) (n = 18) administration for 21 days, first administered immediately prior-to reperfusion. IR-injured and sham mice were subjected to high-field magnetic resonance imaging to assess left ventricular (LV) function, with HEX-treated mice demonstrating a significant improvement in LV function compared with VEH-treated mice. A significant decrease in interstitial collagen, TGF-β1 expression and myofibroblast differentiation was also seen in the HEX-treated mice after 21 days. HEX treatment shifted the ANS balance towards a parasympathetic predominance; combined with a significant decrease in cardiac troponin-I and TNF-α levels, these findings were suggestive of an anti-inflammatory action on the myocardium mediated via HEX. In this model of IR, HEX appeared to rebalance the deregulated ANS and activate vagal anti-inflammatory pathways to prevent adverse remodelling and LV dysfunction. There are limited interventions focusing on IRI that have been successful in improving clinical outcome in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients, this study provides compelling evidence towards the translational potential of HEX where all others have largely failed.
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Affiliation(s)
- H McDonald
- School of Biomedical Science, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - J Peart
- Menzies Health Institute of Queensland, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia
| | - N D Kurniawan
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - G Galloway
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - S G Royce
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Biomedical Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Australia; Central Clinical School, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
| | - C S Samuel
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Biomedical Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Australia
| | - C Chen
- School of Biomedical Science, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
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Prognostic value of cardiovascular magnetic resonance in patients with biopsy-proven systemic sarcoidosis. Eur Radiol 2020; 30:3702-3710. [PMID: 32166494 DOI: 10.1007/s00330-020-06765-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2019] [Revised: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES As prognosis in sarcoidosis is determined by cardiac involvement, the objective was to study the added value of cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) in risk stratification. METHODS In 114 patients (48 ± 12 years/52% male) with biopsy-proven sarcoidosis, we studied the value of clinical and CMR-derived parameters to predict future events, using sustained ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, aborted cardiac death, implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) placement with appropriate shocks, hospitalization for heart failure, and death as composite endpoint. Median follow-up after CMR was 3.1 years (1.1-5.7 years). RESULTS The ejection fraction (EF) was 58.2 ± 9.1% and 54.7 ± 10.8% for left ventricle (LV) and right ventricle (RV), respectively. LV late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) was present in 40 patients (35%) involving 5.1% of the LV mass (IQR, 3.0-12.0%), with concomitant RV involvement in 12 patients (11%). T2-weighting imaging and/or T2 mapping showed active disease in 14 patients. The composite endpoint was reached in 34 patients, with 7 deaths in the LGE-positive group (17.5%), versus two deaths in the LGE-negative group (2.7%) (p = 0.015). At univariate analysis, RVEF (p = 0.009), pulmonary arterial pressure (p = 0.002), and presence of LGE (p < 0.001) and LGE (% of LV) (p < 0.001) were significant. At multivariate analysis, only presence of LGE and LGE (% of LV) was significant (both p = 0.03). At Kaplan-Meier, presence of LGE and an LGE of 3% predicted event-free survival and patient survival. We found no difference in active versus inactive disease with regard to patient survival. CONCLUSION Myocardial enhancement at LGE-CMR adds independent prognostic value in risk stratification sarcoidosis patients. In contrast, clinical as well as functional cardiac parameters lack discriminative power. KEY POINTS • Sarcoidosis often affects the heart. • Comprehensive CMR, including T2 imaging and LGE enhancement CMR, allows to depict both active and inactive myocardial damage. • Patient prognosis in sarcoidosis is determined by the presence and severity of myocardial involvement at LGE CMR.
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McDonald H, Peart J, Kurniawan N, Galloway G, Royce S, Samuel CS, Chen C. Hexarelin treatment preserves myocardial function and reduces cardiac fibrosis in a mouse model of acute myocardial infarction. Physiol Rep 2018; 6:e13699. [PMID: 29756411 PMCID: PMC5949285 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.13699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2018] [Accepted: 04/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Ischemic heart disease (IHD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Growth hormone secretagogues (GHS) have been shown to improve cardiac function in models of IHD. This study determined whether hexarelin (HEX), a synthetic GHS, preserves cardiac function and morphology in a mouse model of myocardial infarction (MI). MI was induced by ligation of the left descending coronary artery in C57BL/6J mice followed by vehicle (VEH; n = 10) or HEX (0.3 mg/kg/day; n = 11) administration for 21 days. MI-injured and sham mice (treated with VEH; n = 6 or HEX; n = 5) underwent magnetic resonance imaging for measurement of left ventricular (LV) function, mass and infarct size at 24 h and 14 days post-MI. MI-HEX mice displayed a significant improvement (P < 0.05) in LV function compared with MI-VEH mice after 14 days treatment. A significant decrease in LV mass, interstitial collagen and collagen concentration was demonstrated with chronic HEX treatment (for 21 days), accompanied by a decrease in TGF-β1 expression, myofibroblast differentiation and an increase in collagen-degrading MMP-13 expression levels. Furthermore, heart rate variability analysis demonstrated that HEX treatment shifted the balance of autonomic nervous activity toward a parasympathetic predominance and sympathetic downregulation. This was combined with a HEX-dependent decrease in troponin-I, IL-1β and TNF-α levels suggestive of amelioration of cardiomyocyte injury. These results demonstrate that GHS may preserve ventricular function, reduce inflammation and favorably remodel the process of fibrotic healing in a mouse model of MI and hold the potential for translational application to patients suffering from MI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayley McDonald
- School of Biomedical ScienceUniversity of QueenslandBrisbaneAustralia
| | - Jason Peart
- Menzies Health Institute of QueenslandGriffith UniversityGold CoastAustralia
| | - Nyoman Kurniawan
- Centre for Advanced ImagingUniversity of QueenslandBrisbaneAustralia
| | - Graham Galloway
- Centre for Advanced ImagingUniversity of QueenslandBrisbaneAustralia
| | - Simon Royce
- Cardiovascular Disease ProgramBiomedical Discovery Institute and Department of PharmacologyMonash UniversityVictoriaAustralia
- Central Clinical SchoolMonash UniversityVictoriaAustralia
| | - Chrishan S. Samuel
- Cardiovascular Disease ProgramBiomedical Discovery Institute and Department of PharmacologyMonash UniversityVictoriaAustralia
| | - Chen Chen
- School of Biomedical ScienceUniversity of QueenslandBrisbaneAustralia
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Takahashi Y, Saito S. [5. Evaluation of Pathology of Heart Disease Models Using Preclinical Ultra-high Field MRI]. Nihon Hoshasen Gijutsu Gakkai Zasshi 2018; 74:404-411. [PMID: 29681609 DOI: 10.6009/jjrt.2018_jsrt_74.4.404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yusuke Takahashi
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University
| | - Shigeyoshi Saito
- Department of Medical Physics and Engineering, Division of Health Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University
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Lindsey ML, Kassiri Z, Virag JAI, de Castro Brás LE, Scherrer-Crosbie M. Guidelines for measuring cardiac physiology in mice. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2018; 314:H733-H752. [PMID: 29351456 PMCID: PMC5966769 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00339.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 215] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death, and translational research is needed to understand better mechanisms whereby the left ventricle responds to injury. Mouse models of heart disease have provided valuable insights into mechanisms that occur during cardiac aging and in response to a variety of pathologies. The assessment of cardiovascular physiological responses to injury or insult is an important and necessary component of this research. With increasing consideration for rigor and reproducibility, the goal of this guidelines review is to provide best-practice information regarding how to measure accurately cardiac physiology in animal models. In this article, we define guidelines for the measurement of cardiac physiology in mice, as the most commonly used animal model in cardiovascular research. Listen to this article’s corresponding podcast at http://ajpheart.podbean.com/e/guidelines-for-measuring-cardiac-physiology-in-mice/.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merry L Lindsey
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Mississippi Center for Heart Research, University of Mississippi Medical Center , Jackson, Mississippi.,Research Service, G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery Veterans Affairs Medical Center , Jackson, Mississippi
| | - Zamaneh Kassiri
- Department of Physiology, Cardiovascular Research Centre, Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute, University of Alberta , Edmonton, Alberta , Canada
| | - Jitka A I Virag
- Department of Physiology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University , Greenville, North Carolina
| | - Lisandra E de Castro Brás
- Department of Physiology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University , Greenville, North Carolina
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Zhang X, Qiu B, Wei Z, Yan F, Shi C, Su S, Liu X, Ji JX, Xie G. Three-dimensional self-gated cardiac MR imaging for the evaluation of myocardial infarction in mouse model on a 3T clinical MR system. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0189286. [PMID: 29216303 PMCID: PMC5720776 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0189286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2017] [Accepted: 11/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To develop and assess a three-dimensional (3D) self-gated technique for the evaluation of myocardial infarction (MI) in mouse model without the use of external electrocardiogram (ECG) trigger and respiratory motion sensor on a 3T clinical MR system. Methods A 3D T1-weighted GRE sequence with stack-of-stars sampling trajectories was developed and performed on six mice with MIs that were injected with a gadolinium-based contrast agent at a 3T clinical MR system. Respiratory and cardiac self-gating signals were derived from the Cartesian mapping of the k-space center along the partition encoding direction by bandpass filtering in image domain. The data were then realigned according to the predetermined self-gating signals for the following image reconstruction. In order to accelerate the data acquisition, image reconstruction was based on compressed sensing (CS) theory by exploiting temporal sparsity of the reconstructed images. In addition, images were also reconstructed from the same realigned data by conventional regridding method for demonstrating the advantageous of the proposed reconstruction method. Furthermore, the accuracy of detecting MI by the proposed method was assessed using histological analysis as the standard reference. Linear regression and Bland-Altman analysis were used to assess the agreement between the proposed method and the histological analysis. Results Compared to the conventional regridding method, the proposed CS method reconstructed images with much less streaking artifact, as well as a better contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) between the blood and myocardium (4.1 ± 2.1 vs. 2.9 ± 1.1, p = 0.031). Linear regression and Bland-Altman analysis demonstrated that excellent correlation was obtained between infarct sizes derived from the proposed method and histology analysis. Conclusion A 3D T1-weighted self-gating technique for mouse cardiac imaging was developed, which has potential for accurately evaluating MIs in mice at 3T clinical MR system without the use of external ECG trigger and respiratory motion sensor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyong Zhang
- Centers for Biomedical Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
- Paul C. Lauterbur Research Center for Biomedical Imaging, Institute of Biomedical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Bensheng Qiu
- Centers for Biomedical Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
- * E-mail: (GX); (BQ)
| | - Zijun Wei
- Paul C. Lauterbur Research Center for Biomedical Imaging, Institute of Biomedical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Fei Yan
- Paul C. Lauterbur Research Center for Biomedical Imaging, Institute of Biomedical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Caiyun Shi
- Paul C. Lauterbur Research Center for Biomedical Imaging, Institute of Biomedical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Shi Su
- Paul C. Lauterbur Research Center for Biomedical Imaging, Institute of Biomedical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xin Liu
- Paul C. Lauterbur Research Center for Biomedical Imaging, Institute of Biomedical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jim X. Ji
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Guoxi Xie
- The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- * E-mail: (GX); (BQ)
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12
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Nezafat M, Ramos IT, Henningsson M, Protti A, Basha T, Botnar RM. Improved segmented modified Look-Locker inversion recovery T1 mapping sequence in mice. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0187621. [PMID: 29121086 PMCID: PMC5679534 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0187621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2017] [Accepted: 10/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Object To develop and evaluate a 2D modified Look-Locker (MOLLI) for high-resolution T1 mapping in mice using a 3T MRI scanner. Materials and methods To allow high-resolution T1 mapping in mice at high heart rates a multi-shot ECG-triggered 2D MOLLI sequence was developed. In the proposed T1 mapping sequence the optimal number of sampling points and pause cardiac cycles following an initial adiabatic inversion pulse was investigated in a phantom. Seven native control and eight mice, 3 days post myocardial infarction (MI) after administration of gadolinium were scanned. Two experienced readers graded the visual T1 map quality. Results In T1 phantoms, there were no significant differences (<0.4% error) between 12, 15 and 20 pause cardiac cycles (p = 0.1, 0.2 and 0.6 respectively) for 8 acquisition cardiac cycles for 600bpm in comparison to the conventional inversion recovery spin echo T1 mapping sequence for short T1’s (<600 ms). Subsequently, all in-vivo scans were performed with 8 data acquisitions and 12 pause cardiac cycles to minimize scan time. The mean native T1 value of myocardium in control animal was 820.5±52 ms. The post-contrast T1 measured 3 days after MI in scar was 264±59 ms and in healthy myocardium was 512±62 ms. The Bland-Altman analysis revealed mean difference of only -1.06% of infarct size percentage between T1 maps and LGE. Conclusions A multi-shot 2D MOLLI sequence has been presented that allows reliable measurement of high spatial resolution T1 maps in mice for heart rates up to 600bpm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Nezafat
- Division of Imaging Sciences & Biomedical Engineering, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Isabel T. Ramos
- Division of Imaging Sciences & Biomedical Engineering, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Markus Henningsson
- Division of Imaging Sciences & Biomedical Engineering, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Andrea Protti
- Division of Imaging Sciences & Biomedical Engineering, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Tamer Basha
- Cairo University, Biomedical Engineering Department, Giza, Egypt
| | - René M. Botnar
- Division of Imaging Sciences & Biomedical Engineering, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Escuela de Ingeniería, Santiago, Chile
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13
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Crowe LA, Montecucco F, Carbone F, Friedli I, Hachulla AL, Braunersreuther V, Mach F, Vallée JP. 4D cardiac imaging at clinical 3.0T provides accurate assessment of murine myocardial function and viability. Magn Reson Imaging 2017; 44:46-54. [PMID: 28827099 DOI: 10.1016/j.mri.2017.07.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2017] [Revised: 07/22/2017] [Accepted: 07/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We validate a 4D strategy tailored for 3T clinical systems to simultaneously quantify function and infarct size in wild type mice after ischemia/reperfusion, with improved spatial and temporal resolution by comparison to previous published protocols using clinical field MRI systems. METHODS C57BL/6J mice underwent 60min ischemia/reperfusion (n=14) or were controls without surgery (n=6). Twenty-four hours after surgery mice were imaged with gadolinium injection and sacrificed for post-mortem MRI and histology with serum also taken for Troponin I levels. The double ECG- and respiratory-triggered 3D FLASH (Fast Low Angle Shot) gradient echo (GRE) cine sequence had an acquired isotropic resolution of 344μm, TR/TE of 7.8/2.9ms and acquisition time 25-35min. The conventional 2D FLASH cine sequence had the same in-plane resolution of 344μm, 1mm slice thickness and TR/TE 11/5.4ms for an acquisition time of 20-25min plus 5min for planning. Left ventricle (LV) and right ventricle (RV) volumes were measured and functional parameters compared 2D to 3D, left to right and for inter and intra observer reproducibility. MRI infarct volume was compared to histology. RESULTS For the function evaluation, the 3D cine outperformed 2D cine for spatial and temporal resolution. Protocol time for the two methods was equivalent (25-35min). Flow artifacts were reduced (p=0.008) and epi/endo-cardial delineation showed good intra and interobserver reproducibility. Paired t-test comparing ejection volume left to right showed no significant difference for 3D (p=0.37), nor 2D (p=0.30) and correlation slopes of left to right EV were 1.17 (R2=0.75) for 2D and 1.05 (R2=0.50) for 3D. Quantifiable 'late gadolinium enhancement' infarct volume was seen only with the 3D cine and correlated to histology (R2=0.89). Left ejection fraction and MRI-measured infarct volume correlated (R2>0.3). CONCLUSIONS The 4D strategy, with contrast injection, was validated in mice for function and infarct quantification from a single scan with minimal slice planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsey A Crowe
- Division of Radiology, Department of Radiology and Medical Informatics, Geneva University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, 4 rue Gabrielle-Perret-Gentil, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland.
| | - Fabrizio Montecucco
- First Clinic of Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, 6 viale Benedetto XV, 16132 Genoa, Italy; IRCCS AOU San Martino - IST, Genova, 10 Largo Rosanna Benzi, 16132 Genoa, Italy.
| | - Federico Carbone
- First Clinic of Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, 6 viale Benedetto XV, 16132 Genoa, Italy.
| | - Iris Friedli
- Division of Radiology, Department of Radiology and Medical Informatics, Geneva University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, 4 rue Gabrielle-Perret-Gentil, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland.
| | - Anne-Lise Hachulla
- Division of Radiology, Department of Radiology and Medical Informatics, Geneva University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, 4 rue Gabrielle-Perret-Gentil, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland.
| | - Vincent Braunersreuther
- Division of Pathology, Department of Genetics and Laboratory Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, 4 rue Gabrielle-Perret-Gentil, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland.
| | - François Mach
- Division of Cardiology, Foundation for Medical Researches, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Geneva, 64 avenue de la Roseraie, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland.
| | - Jean-Paul Vallée
- Division of Radiology, Department of Radiology and Medical Informatics, Geneva University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, 4 rue Gabrielle-Perret-Gentil, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland.
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14
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Youssef AA, Yang PC. T1 Map of Post-Myocardial Infarction for Precise Tissue Characterization. Circ Cardiovasc Imaging 2017; 10:CIRCIMAGING.117.006835. [DOI: 10.1161/circimaging.117.006835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Amr A. Youssef
- From the Aurora Bay Area Medical Group, Marinette, WI (A.A.Y.); Ain Shams University, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo, Egypt (A.A.Y.); and Stanford University Medical Center, CA (P.C.Y.)
| | - Phillip C. Yang
- From the Aurora Bay Area Medical Group, Marinette, WI (A.A.Y.); Ain Shams University, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo, Egypt (A.A.Y.); and Stanford University Medical Center, CA (P.C.Y.)
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15
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MRI Assessment of Cardiomyopathy Induced by β1-Adrenoreceptor Autoantibodies and Protection Through β3-Adrenoreceptor Overexpression. Sci Rep 2017; 7:43951. [PMID: 28276515 PMCID: PMC5343428 DOI: 10.1038/srep43951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2016] [Accepted: 02/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The cardiopathogenic role of autoantibodies (aabs) directed against β1-adrenoreceptors (β1-AR) is well established. In mouse models, they cause progressive dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) whose characterization with echocardiography requires prolonged protocols with numerous animals, complicating the evaluation of new treatments. Here, we report on the characterization of β1-aabs-induced DCM in mice using 11.7T MRI. C57BL/6J mice (n = 10 per group) were immunized against the β1-AR and left ventricular (LV) systolic function was assessed at 10, 18 and 27 weeks. Increase in LV mass/tibial length ratio was detected as the first modification at 10 weeks together with dilation of cavities, thereby outperforming echocardiography. Significant impairment in diastolic index was also observed in immunized animals before the onset of systolic dysfunction. Morphometric and histological measurements confirmed these observations. The same protocol performed on β3-AR-overexpressing mice and wild-type littermates (n = 8–12 per group) showed that transgenic animals were protected with reduced LV/TL ratio compared to wild-type animals and maintenance of the diastolic index. This study demonstrates that MRI allows a precocious detection of the subtle myocardial dysfunction induced by β1-aabs and that β3-AR stimulation blunts the development of β1-aabs-induced DCM, thereby paving the way for the use of β3AR-stimulating drugs to treat this autoimmune cardiomyopathy.
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16
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Na+/Ca2+ exchanger 1 inhibition abolishes ischemic tolerance induced by ischemic preconditioning in different cardiac models. Eur J Pharmacol 2017; 794:246-256. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2016.11.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2016] [Revised: 11/22/2016] [Accepted: 11/24/2016] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
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17
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Vanhoutte L, Gerber BL, Gallez B, Po C, Magat J, Balligand JL, Feron O, Moniotte S. High field magnetic resonance imaging of rodents in cardiovascular research. Basic Res Cardiol 2016; 111:46. [PMID: 27287250 DOI: 10.1007/s00395-016-0565-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2015] [Accepted: 06/01/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Transgenic and gene knockout rodent models are primordial to study pathophysiological processes in cardiovascular research. Over time, cardiac MRI has become a gold standard for in vivo evaluation of such models. Technical advances have led to the development of magnets with increasingly high field strength, allowing specific investigation of cardiac anatomy, global and regional function, viability, perfusion or vascular parameters. The aim of this report is to provide a review of the various sequences and techniques available to image mice on 7-11.7 T magnets and relevant to the clinical setting in humans. Specific technical aspects due to the rise of the magnetic field are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laetitia Vanhoutte
- Department of Paediatric Cardiology, Cliniques universitaires Saint Luc, Université Catholique de Louvain (UCL), Brussels, Belgium. .,Pole of Pharmacology and Therapeutics (FATH), Institute of Experimental and Clinical Research (IREC), Université Catholique de Louvain (UCL), Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Bernhard L Gerber
- Division of Cardiology, Cliniques universitaires Saint Luc, Université Catholique de Louvain (UCL), Brussels, Belgium.,Pole of Cardiovascular Research (CARD), Institute of Experimental and Clinical Research (IREC), Université Catholique de Louvain (UCL), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Bernard Gallez
- Biomedical Magnetic Resonance Unit (REMA), Louvain Drug Research Institute (LDRI), Université Catholique de Louvain (UCL), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Chrystelle Po
- CNRS, ICube, FMTS, Institut de Physique Biologique, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Julie Magat
- L'Institut de RYthmologie et de Modélisation Cardiaque (LIRYC), Inserm U1045, Bordeaux, France
| | - Jean-Luc Balligand
- Pole of Pharmacology and Therapeutics (FATH), Institute of Experimental and Clinical Research (IREC), Université Catholique de Louvain (UCL), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Olivier Feron
- Pole of Pharmacology and Therapeutics (FATH), Institute of Experimental and Clinical Research (IREC), Université Catholique de Louvain (UCL), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Stéphane Moniotte
- Department of Paediatric Cardiology, Cliniques universitaires Saint Luc, Université Catholique de Louvain (UCL), Brussels, Belgium
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18
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Boltjes A, Shrinidhi A, van de Kolk K, Herdtweck E, Dömling A. Gd-TEMDO: Design, Synthesis, and MRI Application. Chemistry 2016; 22:7352-6. [PMID: 26991633 DOI: 10.1002/chem.201600720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
A simple Ugi tetrazole multicomponent reaction allows the synthesis of a novel macrocyclic cyclen derivative with four appendant tetrazole arms in just two steps in excellent yields. This ligand, called TEMDO, turns out to have a high complexation affinity with lanthanoid metals. Here we describe the design, synthesis, solid-state structure, binding constant, and some MRI applications of the Gd-TEMDO complex as the first example of a congeneric family of oligo-amino tetrazoles.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Boltjes
- Department of Drug Design, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, A. Deusinglaan 1, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Annadka Shrinidhi
- Department of Drug Design, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, A. Deusinglaan 1, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Kees van de Kolk
- Central Animal Facility, University of Groningen/UMCG, A. Deusinglaan 50, The Netherlands
| | - Eberhardt Herdtweck
- Institut für Anorganische Chemie, Technische Universität München, Lichtenbergstrasse 4, 85747, Garching bei München, Germany
| | - Alexander Dömling
- Department of Drug Design, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, A. Deusinglaan 1, Groningen, The Netherlands.
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19
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Bakermans AJ, Abdurrachim D, Moonen RPM, Motaal AG, Prompers JJ, Strijkers GJ, Vandoorne K, Nicolay K. Small animal cardiovascular MR imaging and spectroscopy. PROGRESS IN NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE SPECTROSCOPY 2015; 88-89:1-47. [PMID: 26282195 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnmrs.2015.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2014] [Revised: 03/09/2015] [Accepted: 03/09/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The use of MR imaging and spectroscopy for studying cardiovascular disease processes in small animals has increased tremendously over the past decade. This is the result of the remarkable advances in MR technologies and the increased availability of genetically modified mice. MR techniques provide a window on the entire timeline of cardiovascular disease development, ranging from subtle early changes in myocardial metabolism that often mark disease onset to severe myocardial dysfunction associated with end-stage heart failure. MR imaging and spectroscopy techniques play an important role in basic cardiovascular research and in cardiovascular disease diagnosis and therapy follow-up. This is due to the broad range of functional, structural and metabolic parameters that can be quantified by MR under in vivo conditions non-invasively. This review describes the spectrum of MR techniques that are employed in small animal cardiovascular disease research and how the technological challenges resulting from the small dimensions of heart and blood vessels as well as high heart and respiratory rates, particularly in mice, are tackled.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrianus J Bakermans
- Biomedical NMR, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands; Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Desiree Abdurrachim
- Biomedical NMR, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Rik P M Moonen
- Biomedical NMR, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Abdallah G Motaal
- Biomedical NMR, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands; Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jeanine J Prompers
- Biomedical NMR, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Gustav J Strijkers
- Biomedical NMR, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands; Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Katrien Vandoorne
- Biomedical NMR, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Klaas Nicolay
- Biomedical NMR, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
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20
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Zhao X, Wu J, Gray CD, McGregor K, Rossi AG, Morrison H, Jansen MA, Gray GA. Optical projection tomography permits efficient assessment of infarct volume in the murine heart postmyocardial infarction. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2015; 309:H702-10. [PMID: 26071543 PMCID: PMC4537945 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00233.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2015] [Accepted: 06/08/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Optical projection tomography permits rapid high-resolution imaging of intact murine heart in vitro and identification of tissue heterogeneity within individual optical slices of postmyocardial infarction hearts. Infarct volume derived from >400 slices correlates with in vivo magnetic resonance imaging and avoids the need for histological staining of multiple physical sections. The extent of infarct injury is a key determinant of structural and functional remodeling following myocardial infarction (MI). Infarct volume in experimental models of MI can be determined accurately by in vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), but this is costly and not widely available. Experimental studies therefore commonly assess injury by histological analysis of sections sampled from the infarcted heart, an approach that is labor intensive, can be subjective, and does not fully assess the extent of injury. The present study aimed to assess the suitability of optical projection tomography (OPT) for identification of injured myocardium and for accurate and efficient assessment of infarct volume. Intact, perfusion-fixed, optically cleared hearts, collected from mice 7 days after induction of MI by coronary artery occlusion, were scanned by a tomograph for autofluorescence emission after UV excitation, generating >400 transaxial sections for reconstruction. Differential autofluorescence permitted discrimination between viable and injured myocardium and highlighted the heterogeneity within the infarct zone. Two-dimensional infarct areas derived from OPT imaging and Masson's trichrome staining of slices from the same heart were highly correlated (r2 = 0.99, P < 0.0001). Infarct volume derived from reconstructed OPT sections correlated with volume derived from in vivo late gadolinium enhancement MRI (r2 = 0.7608, P < 0.005). Tissue processing for OPT did not compromise subsequent immunohistochemical detection of endothelial cell and inflammatory cell markers. OPT is thus a nondestructive, efficient, and accurate approach for routine in vitro assessment of murine myocardial infarct volume.
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Affiliation(s)
- X Zhao
- BHF/University Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - J Wu
- BHF/University Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - C D Gray
- Clinical Research Imaging Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - K McGregor
- BHF/University Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - A G Rossi
- Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Edinburgh, College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine, Queens Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh, United Kingdom; and
| | - H Morrison
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Western General Hospital, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - M A Jansen
- BHF/University Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom; Edinburgh Preclinical Imaging, BHF/University Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - G A Gray
- BHF/University Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom;
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21
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Coolen BF, Simonis FFJ, Geelen T, Moonen RPM, Arslan F, Paulis LEM, Nicolay K, Strijkers GJ. Quantitative T2 mapping of the mouse heart by segmented MLEV phase-cycled T2 preparation. Magn Reson Med 2015; 72:409-17. [PMID: 24186703 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.24952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2013] [Revised: 07/30/2013] [Accepted: 08/21/2013] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE A high-quality, reproducible, multi-slice T2-mapping protocol for the mouse heart is presented. METHODS A T2-prepared sequence with composite 90° and 180° radiofrequency pulses in a segmented MLEV phase cycling scheme was developed. The T2-mapping protocol was optimized using simulations and evaluated with phantoms. RESULTS Repeatability for determination of myocardial T2 values was assessed in vivo in n = 5 healthy mice on 2 different days. The average baseline T2 of the left ventricular myocardium was 22.5 ± 1.7 ms. The repeatability coefficient for R2 = 1/T2 for measurements at different days was ΔR2 = 6.3 s(−1). Subsequently, T2 mapping was applied in comparison to late-gadolinium-enhancement (LGE) imaging, to assess 1-day-old ischemia/reperfusion (IR) myocardial injury in n = 8 mice. T2 in the infarcts was significantly higher than in remote tissue, whereas remote tissue was not significantly different from baseline. Infarct sizes based on T2 versus LGE showed strong correlation. To assess the time-course of T2 changes in the infarcts, T2 mapping was performed at day 1, 3, and 7 after IR injury in a separate group of mice (n = 16). T2 was highest at day 3, in agreement with the expected time course of edema formation and resolution after myocardial infarction. CONCLUSION T2 prepared imaging provides high quality reproducible T2 maps of healthy and diseased mouse myocardium.
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22
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Iltis I, Choi J, Vollmers M, Shenoi M, Bischof J, Metzger GJ. In vivo detection of the effects of preconditioning on LNCaP tumors by a TNF-α nanoparticle construct using MRI. NMR IN BIOMEDICINE 2014; 27:1063-9. [PMID: 24980267 PMCID: PMC4139144 DOI: 10.1002/nbm.3157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2013] [Revised: 05/27/2014] [Accepted: 06/02/2014] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
The outcome of systemic and local therapies (e.g. chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery, focal ablation) for prostate cancer can be significantly improved by using tumor-specific adjuvants prior to treatment ("preconditioning"). We propose to use dynamic contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) to monitor the in vivo response of a mouse model of prostate cancer treated with a vascular disruptive agent, TNF-α, delivered on a gold nanoparticle (NP-TNF). Six male nude mice bearing 4-5 week old LNCaP tumors were scanned at 9.4 T. DCE-MRI was performed two days before and 4-5 h after treatment with NP-TNF. An intraperitoneal (i.p.) bolus of gadolinium-DTPA (Gd) was administered and contrast enhancement was measured for 90 min. Concentration-time curves of Gd were calculated and the area under the Gd curve (AUGC) was determined pre- and post-treatment. NP-TNF treatment caused an increase in contrast uptake in tumors. Interestingly, the early concentration (10 min post Gd bolus i.p.) was similar in both untreated and treated conditions; however, 90 min after injection, [Gd] was 3.4 times higher than before treatment. AUGC doubled from (11 ± 6) [Gd] × min before treatment to (22 ± 9) [Gd] × min after treatment. An increase in signal enhancement was also observed in the muscle but to a lesser degree. We also evaluated the kinetics of intravenous Gd administration in mice bearing a jugular vein catheter to mimic the delivery method used in clinical trials. The overall treatment effects were independent of the delivery pathway of the contrast agent. In conclusion, we show that DCE-MRI is suitable to detect changes associated with a vascular disruptive agent in a mouse model of prostate cancer. The ability to characterize the effects of nanoparticle therapy in vivo with non-destructive methods is important, as such compounds, in combination with treatment strategies, are progressing towards clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabelle Iltis
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA
| | - Jeunghwan Choi
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA
| | - Manda Vollmers
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA
| | - Mithun Shenoi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA
| | - John Bischof
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA
| | - Gregory J. Metzger
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA
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23
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Meßner NM, Zöllner FG, Kalayciyan R, Schad LR. Pre-clinical functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Part II: The heart. Z Med Phys 2014; 24:307-22. [PMID: 25023418 DOI: 10.1016/j.zemedi.2014.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2013] [Revised: 05/09/2014] [Accepted: 06/17/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
One third of all deaths worldwide in 2008 were caused by cardiovascular diseases (CVD), and the incidence of CVD related deaths rises ever more. Thus, improved imaging techniques and modalities are needed for the evaluation of cardiac morphology and function. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI) is a minimally invasive technique that is increasingly important due to its high spatial and temporal resolution, its high soft tissue contrast and its ability of functional and quantitative imaging. It is widely accepted as the gold standard of cardiac functional analysis. In the short period of small animal MRI, remarkable progress has been achieved concerning new, fast imaging schemes as well as purpose-built equipment. Dedicated small animal scanners allow for tapping the full potential of recently developed animal models of cardiac disease. In this paper, we review state-of-the-art cardiac magnetic resonance imaging techniques and applications in small animals at ultra-high fields (UHF).
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadja M Meßner
- Computer Assisted Clinical Medicine, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Frank G Zöllner
- Computer Assisted Clinical Medicine, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany.
| | - Raffi Kalayciyan
- Computer Assisted Clinical Medicine, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Lothar R Schad
- Computer Assisted Clinical Medicine, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
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Stuckey DJ, McSweeney SJ, Thin MZ, Habib J, Price AN, Fiedler LR, Gsell W, Prasad SK, Schneider MD. T₁ mapping detects pharmacological retardation of diffuse cardiac fibrosis in mouse pressure-overload hypertrophy. Circ Cardiovasc Imaging 2014; 7:240-9. [PMID: 24425501 DOI: 10.1161/circimaging.113.000993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diffuse interstitial fibrosis is present in diverse cardiomyopathies and associated with poor prognosis. We investigated whether magnetic resonance imaging-based T1 mapping could quantify the induction and pharmacological suppression of diffuse cardiac fibrosis in murine pressure-overload hypertrophy. METHODS AND RESULTS Mice were subjected to transverse aortic constriction or sham surgery. The angiotensin receptor blocker losartan was given to half the animals. Cine-magnetic resonance imaging performed at 7 and 28 days showed hypertrophy and remodeling and systolic and diastolic dysfunction in transverse aortic constriction groups as expected. Late gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging revealed focal signal enhancement at the inferior right ventricular insertion point of transverse aortic constriction mice concordant with the foci of fibrosis in histology. The extracellular volume fraction, calculated from pre- and postcontrast T1 measurements, was elevated by transverse aortic constriction and showed direct linear correlation with picrosirius red collagen volume fraction, thus confirming the suitability of extracellular volume fraction as an in vivo measure of diffuse fibrosis. Treatment with losartan reduced left ventricular dysfunction and prevented increased extracellular volume fraction, indicating that T1 mapping is sensitive to pharmacological prevention of fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS Magnetic resonance imaging can detect diffuse and focal cardiac fibrosis in a clinically relevant animal model of pressure overload and is sensitive to pharmacological reduction of fibrosis by angiotensin receptor blockade. Thus, T1 mapping can be used to assess antifibrotic therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Stuckey
- British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence, National Heart and Lung Institute
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25
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Jiang C, Li Y, Jiang X, Yao N, Gao M, Zhang X, Wang J, Wang X, Sun Z, Zhang J, Ni Y. Hypericin as a Marker for Determination of Myocardial Viability in a Rat Model of Myocardial Infarction. Photochem Photobiol 2014; 90:867-72. [DOI: 10.1111/php.12247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2013] [Accepted: 01/19/2014] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Cuihua Jiang
- Laboratory of Translational Medicine; Jiangsu Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine; Nanjing Jiangsu Province China
| | - Yue Li
- Laboratory of Translational Medicine; Jiangsu Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine; Nanjing Jiangsu Province China
| | - Xiao Jiang
- Laboratory of Translational Medicine; Jiangsu Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine; Nanjing Jiangsu Province China
| | - Nan Yao
- Laboratory of Translational Medicine; Jiangsu Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine; Nanjing Jiangsu Province China
| | - Meng Gao
- Laboratory of Translational Medicine; Jiangsu Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine; Nanjing Jiangsu Province China
| | - Xueli Zhang
- Laboratory of Translational Medicine; Jiangsu Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine; Nanjing Jiangsu Province China
| | - Junying Wang
- Laboratory of Translational Medicine; Jiangsu Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine; Nanjing Jiangsu Province China
| | - Xiaoning Wang
- Laboratory of Translational Medicine; Jiangsu Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine; Nanjing Jiangsu Province China
| | - Ziping Sun
- The Radiation Medical Institute; Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences; Jinan Shandong Province China
| | - Jian Zhang
- Laboratory of Translational Medicine; Jiangsu Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine; Nanjing Jiangsu Province China
| | - Yicheng Ni
- Laboratory of Translational Medicine; Jiangsu Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine; Nanjing Jiangsu Province China
- The Radiation Medical Institute; Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences; Jinan Shandong Province China
- Theragnostic Laboratory; Department of Imaging & Pathology; Biomedical Sciences Group; KU Leuven; Leuven Belgium
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Buonincontri G, Methner C, Carpenter TA, Hawkes RC, Sawiak SJ, Krieg T. MRI and PET in mouse models of myocardial infarction. J Vis Exp 2013:e50806. [PMID: 24378323 PMCID: PMC4110968 DOI: 10.3791/50806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Myocardial infarction is one of the leading causes of death in the Western world. The similarity of the mouse heart to the human heart has made it an ideal model for testing novel therapeutic strategies. In vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) gives excellent views of the heart noninvasively with clear anatomical detail, which can be used for accurate functional assessment. Contrast agents can provide basic measures of tissue viability but these are nonspecific. Positron emission tomography (PET) is a complementary technique that is highly specific for molecular imaging, but lacks the anatomical detail of MRI. Used together, these techniques offer a sensitive, specific and quantitative tool for the assessment of the heart in disease and recovery following treatment. In this paper we explain how these methods are carried out in mouse models of acute myocardial infarction. The procedures described here were designed for the assessment of putative protective drug treatments. We used MRI to measure systolic function and infarct size with late gadolinium enhancement, and PET with fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) to assess metabolic function in the infarcted region. The paper focuses on practical aspects such as slice planning, accurate gating, drug delivery, segmentation of images, and multimodal coregistration. The methods presented here achieve good repeatability and accuracy maintaining a high throughput.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guido Buonincontri
- Wolfson Brain Imaging Centre, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Unversity of Cambridge
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Zhang H, Ye Q, Zheng J, Schelbert EB, Hitchens TK, Ho C. Improve myocardial T1 measurement in rats with a new regression model: application to myocardial infarction and beyond. Magn Reson Med 2013; 72:737-48. [PMID: 24142881 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.24988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2013] [Revised: 08/13/2013] [Accepted: 09/15/2013] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To improve myocardial and blood T1 measurements with a multi-variable T1 fitting model specifically modified for a segmented multi-shot FLASH sequence. METHODS The proposed method was first evaluated in a series of phantoms simulating realistic tissues, and then in healthy rats (n = 8) and rats with acute myocardial infarction (MI) induced by coronary artery ligation (n = 8). RESULTS By taking into account the saturation effect caused by sampling α-train pulses, and the longitudinal magnetization recovery between readouts, our model provided more accurate T1 estimate than the conventional three-parameter fit in phantoms under realistic gating procedures (error of -0.42 ± 1.73% versus -3.40 ± 1.46%, respectively, when using the measured inversion efficiency, β). The baseline myocardial T1 values in healthy rats was 1636.3 ± 23.4 ms at 7 Tesla. One day postligation, the T1 values in the remote and proximal myocardial areas were 1637.5 ± 62.6 ms and 1740.3 ± 70.5 ms, respectively. In rats with acute MI, regional differences in myocardial T1 values were observed both before and after the administration of gadolinium. CONCLUSION The proposed method has improved T1 estimate as validated in phantoms and could advance applications in rodents using quantitative myocardial T1 mapping.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haosen Zhang
- Pittsburgh NMR Center for Biomedical Research, Department of Biological Science, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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28
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Hoerr V, Nagelmann N, Nauerth A, Kuhlmann MT, Stypmann J, Faber C. Cardiac-respiratory self-gated cine ultra-short echo time (UTE) cardiovascular magnetic resonance for assessment of functional cardiac parameters at high magnetic fields. J Cardiovasc Magn Reson 2013; 15:59. [PMID: 23826850 PMCID: PMC3707860 DOI: 10.1186/1532-429x-15-59] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2013] [Accepted: 06/19/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To overcome flow and electrocardiogram-trigger artifacts in cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR), we have implemented a cardiac and respiratory self-gated cine ultra-short echo time (UTE) sequence. We have assessed its performance in healthy mice by comparing the results with those obtained with a self-gated cine fast low angle shot (FLASH) sequence and with echocardiography. METHODS 2D self-gated cine UTE (TE/TR = 314 μs/6.2 ms, resolution: 129 × 129 μm, scan time per slice: 5 min 5 sec) and self-gated cine FLASH (TE/TR = 3 ms/6.2 ms, resolution: 129 × 129 μm, scan time per slice: 4 min 49 sec) images were acquired at 9.4 T. Volume of the left and right ventricular (LV, RV) myocardium as well as the end-diastolic and -systolic volume was segmented manually in MR images and myocardial mass, stroke volume (SV), ejection fraction (EF) and cardiac output (CO) were determined. Statistical differences were analyzed by using Student t test and Bland-Altman analyses. RESULTS Self-gated cine UTE provided high quality images with high contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) also for the RV myocardium (CNRblood-myocardium = 25.5 ± 7.8). Compared to cine FLASH, susceptibility, motion, and flow artifacts were considerably reduced due to the short TE of 314 μs. The aortic valve was clearly discernible over the entire cardiac cycle. Myocardial mass, SV, EF and CO determined by self-gated UTE were identical to the values measured with self-gated FLASH and showed good agreement to the results obtained by echocardiography. CONCLUSIONS Self-gated UTE allows for robust measurement of cardiac parameters of diagnostic interest. Image quality is superior to self-gated FLASH, rendering the method a powerful alternative for the assessment of cardiac function at high magnetic fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verena Hoerr
- Department of Clinical Radiology, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Nina Nagelmann
- Department of Clinical Radiology, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | | | | | - Jörg Stypmann
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Cornelius Faber
- Department of Clinical Radiology, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
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29
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Rinkevich-Shop S, Konen E, Kushnir T, Epstein FH, Landa-Rouben N, Goitein O, Ben Mordechai T, Feinberg MS, Afek A, Leor J. Non-invasive assessment of experimental autoimmune myocarditis in rats using a 3 T clinical MRI scanner. Eur Heart J Cardiovasc Imaging 2013; 14:1069-79. [PMID: 23644934 DOI: 10.1093/ehjci/jet044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS The aim of this study was to assess the use of a 3 T clinical cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) scanner to detect injury to the heart in experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM). METHODS AND RESULTS The use of 3 T CMR for the detection of cardiac injury was assessed in EAM (n = 55) and control (n = 10) male Lewis rats. Animals were evaluated with serial CMR imaging studies, using a 3 T scanner, and with 2D echocardiography before, and at 2 and 5 weeks after EAM induction. By CMR, regional wall motion abnormalities were noted in seven out of eight rats with myocarditis 5 weeks after induction. Subsequently, the rats developed significant left ventricular (LV) dilatation, wall thickening, and pericardial effusion. Average LV systolic and diastolic volumes increased from 131 ± 10 to 257 ± 20 µL (P = 0.0008), and from 309 ± 14 to 412 ± 24 µL (P < 0.0001), and ejection fraction markedly deteriorated (from 58 ± 2 to 37 ± 5%; P = 0.0003). Areas of fibrosis were located by late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) CMR at the subepicardium, mainly within the anterior, lateral, and inferior walls. The extent and location of LGE were highly correlated (r = 0.94; P < 0.0001) with areas of myocardial fibrosis by histopathology, with 85% sensitivity and 86% specificity. CONCLUSION A clinical 3 T CMR scanner enables accurate detection, quantification, and monitoring of experimental myocarditis in rats, and could be used for translational research to study the pathophysiology of the disease and evaluate novel therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shunit Rinkevich-Shop
- Tamman Cardiovascular Research Institute, Leviev Heart Center, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel
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30
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Skårdal K, Rolim NP, Haraldseth O, Goa PE, Thuen M. Late gadolinium enhancement in the assessment of the infarcted mouse heart: A longitudinal comparison with manganese-enhanced MRI. J Magn Reson Imaging 2013; 38:1388-94. [DOI: 10.1002/jmri.24127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2012] [Accepted: 02/20/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Kristine Skårdal
- Department of Circulation and Medical Imaging; Norwegian University of Science and Technology; Trondheim Norway
- MILab; Trondheim Norway
| | - Natale P.L. Rolim
- Department of Circulation and Medical Imaging; Norwegian University of Science and Technology; Trondheim Norway
- K.G. Jebsen Center of Exercise in Medicine; Trondheim Norway
| | - Olav Haraldseth
- MILab; Trondheim Norway
- Department of Medical Imaging; St Olavs University Hospital; Trondheim Norway
| | - Pål Erik Goa
- MILab; Trondheim Norway
- Department of Medical Imaging; St Olavs University Hospital; Trondheim Norway
| | - Marte Thuen
- Department of Circulation and Medical Imaging; Norwegian University of Science and Technology; Trondheim Norway
- MILab; Trondheim Norway
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Akki A, Gupta A, Weiss RG. Magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy of the murine cardiovascular system. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2013; 304:H633-48. [PMID: 23292717 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00771.2011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has emerged as a powerful and reliable tool to noninvasively study the cardiovascular system in clinical practice. Because transgenic mouse models have assumed a critical role in cardiovascular research, technological advances in MRI have been extended to mice over the last decade. These have provided critical insights into cardiac and vascular morphology, function, and physiology/pathophysiology in many murine models of heart disease. Furthermore, magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) has allowed the nondestructive study of myocardial metabolism in both isolated hearts and in intact mice. This article reviews the current techniques and important pathophysiological insights from the application of MRI/MRS technology to murine models of cardiovascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashwin Akki
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, and Division of Magnetic Resonance Research, Department of Radiology, The Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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32
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Buonincontri G, Methner C, Krieg T, Carpenter TA, Sawiak SJ. A fast protocol for infarct quantification in mice. J Magn Reson Imaging 2013; 38:468-73. [DOI: 10.1002/jmri.24001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2012] [Accepted: 11/27/2012] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Guido Buonincontri
- Wolfson Brain Imaging Centre; Department of Clinical Neurosciences; University of Cambridge; Cambridge; United Kingdom
| | - Carmen Methner
- Department of Medicine; University of Cambridge; Cambridge; United Kingdom
| | - Thomas Krieg
- Department of Medicine; University of Cambridge; Cambridge; United Kingdom
| | - T. Adrian Carpenter
- Wolfson Brain Imaging Centre; Department of Clinical Neurosciences; University of Cambridge; Cambridge; United Kingdom
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33
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Gray GA, White CI, Thomson A, Kozak A, Moran C, Jansen MA. Imaging the healing murine myocardial infarct in vivo: ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging and fluorescence molecular tomography. Exp Physiol 2012; 98:606-13. [PMID: 23064510 DOI: 10.1113/expphysiol.2012.064741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Improved understanding of the processes involved in infarct healing is required for identification of novel therapeutic targets to limit infarct expansion and consequent long-term ventricular remodelling after myocardial infarction. Infarct healing can be modelled effectively in murine models of coronary artery ligation. While imaging the murine heart is challenging due to its size and high rate of contraction, advances in preclinical imaging now permit accurate assessment of myocardial structure and function in vivo after myocardial infarction. Furthermore, rapid development of a range of molecular probes for use in a number of imaging modalities allows more detailed in vivo analysis of processes, including inflammation, fibrosis and angiogenesis. Here we consider the practical application of in vivo imaging by magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound and fluorescence molecular tomography for assessment of infarct healing in the mouse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gillian A Gray
- British Heart Foundation/University Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ, UK.
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34
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Aguor ENE, Arslan F, van de Kolk CWA, Nederhoff MGJ, Doevendans PA, van Echteld CJA, Pasterkamp G, Strijkers GJ. Quantitative T 2* assessment of acute and chronic myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury in mice. MAGMA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2012; 25:369-79. [PMID: 22327962 PMCID: PMC3458196 DOI: 10.1007/s10334-012-0304-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2011] [Revised: 01/21/2012] [Accepted: 01/23/2012] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECT Imaging of myocardial infarct composition is essential to assess efficacy of emerging therapeutics. T (2) (*) mapping has the potential to image myocardial hemorrhage and fibrosis by virtue of its short T (2) (*) . We aimed to quantify T (2) (*) in acute and chronic myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS I/R-injury was induced in C57BL/6 mice (n = 9). Sham-operated mice (n = 8) served as controls. MRI was performed at baseline, and 1, 7 and 28 days after surgery. MRI at 9.4 T consisted of Cine, T (2) (*) mapping and late-gadolinium-enhancement (LGE). Mice (n = 6) were histologically assessed for hemorrhage and collagen in the fibrotic scar. RESULTS Baseline T (2) (*) values were 17.1 ± 2.0 ms. At day 1, LGE displayed a homogeneous infarct enhancement. T (2) (*) in infarct (12.0 ± 1.1 ms) and remote myocardium (13.9 ± 0.8 ms) was lower than at baseline. On days 7 and 28, LGE was heterogeneous. T (2) (*) in the infarct decreased to 7.9 ± 0.7 and 6.4 ± 0.7 ms, whereas T (2) (*) values in the remote myocardium were 14.2 ± 1.1 and 15.6 ± 1.0 ms. Histology revealed deposition of iron and collagen in parallel with decreased T (2) (*) . CONCLUSION T (2) (*) values are dynamic during infarct development and decrease significantly during scar maturation. In the acute phase, T (2) (*) values in infarcted myocardium differ significantly from those in the chronic phase. T (2) (*) mapping was able to confirm the presence of a chronic infarction in cases where LGE was inconclusive. Hence, T (2) (*) may be used to discriminate between acute and chronic infarctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eissa N. E. Aguor
- Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht (UMCU), Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht (UMCU), Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
- The Netherlands Heart Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Fatih Arslan
- Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht (UMCU), Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht (UMCU), Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
- The Netherlands Heart Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Cees W. A. van de Kolk
- Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht (UMCU), Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marcel G. J. Nederhoff
- Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht (UMCU), Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
- The Netherlands Heart Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Pieter A. Doevendans
- Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht (UMCU), Utrecht, The Netherlands
- The Netherlands Heart Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Cees J. A. van Echteld
- Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht (UMCU), Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Gerard Pasterkamp
- Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht (UMCU), Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
- The Netherlands Heart Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Gustav J. Strijkers
- Biomedical NMR, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
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Wildgruber M, Settles M, Kosanke K, Bielicki I, Ntziachristos V, Rummeny EJ, Botnar RM, Huber AM. Evaluation of phase-sensitive versus magnitude reconstructed inversion recovery imaging for the assessment of myocardial infarction in mice with a clinical magnetic resonance scanner. J Magn Reson Imaging 2012; 36:1372-82. [PMID: 22972713 DOI: 10.1002/jmri.23789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2012] [Accepted: 07/27/2012] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate phase-sensitive inversion-recovery (PSIR) imaging at 1.5 T in a mouse model of permanent coronary artery ligation as a potentially rapid and robust alternative for the accurate assessment of myocardial infarction (MI) by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MATERIALS AND METHODS PSIR late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) imaging was compared to conventional 2D segmented inversion-recovery imaging for the assessment of murine MI. RESULTS PSIR images provided comparable contrast and kinetics of intravenously injected gadopentetate dimeglumine (Gd-DTPA). At the mid-ventricular level there was good agreement between conventional IR and PSIR for infarct size assessment. After intravenous injection a limited time window of ∼6 minutes is available for delayed enhancement imaging in mice. Whole-heart infarct imaging with 1 mm thick slices was only possible in this restricted time frame when the PSIR method is applied, avoiding the need for repetitively adapting the correct inversion time. Infarct size determined by PSIR MRI demonstrated good agreement with postmortem histology. Infarct size determined by PSIR LGE MRI inversely correlates with left-ventricular function on day 7 after MI. CONCLUSION The PSIR technique provides stable and consistent contrast between hyperenhanced and remote myocardium independent of the selected inversion time (TI) and proved to be a robust, fast, and accurate tool for the assessment of MI in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moritz Wildgruber
- Department of Radiology, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Germany.
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36
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Coolen BF, Paulis LEM, Geelen T, Nicolay K, Strijkers GJ. Contrast-enhanced MRI of murine myocardial infarction - part II. NMR IN BIOMEDICINE 2012; 25:969-984. [PMID: 22311260 DOI: 10.1002/nbm.2767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2011] [Revised: 11/07/2011] [Accepted: 11/29/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Mouse models are increasingly used to study the pathophysiology of myocardial infarction in vivo. In this area, MRI has become the gold standard imaging modality, because it combines high spatial and temporal resolution functional imaging with a large variety of methods to generate soft tissue contrast. In addition, (target-specific) MRI contrast agents can be employed to visualize different processes in the cascade of events following myocardial infarction. Here, the MRI sequence has a decisive role in the detection sensitivity of a contrast agent. However, a straightforward translation of clinically available protocols for human cardiac imaging to mice is not feasible, because of the small size of the mouse heart and its extremely high heart rate. This has stimulated intense research in the development of cardiac MRI protocols specifically tuned to the mouse with regard to timing parameters, acquisition strategies, and ECG- and respiratory-triggering methods to find an optimal trade-off between sensitivity, scan time, and image quality. In this review, a detailed analysis is given of the pros and cons of different mouse cardiac MR imaging methodologies and their application in contrast-enhanced MRI of myocardial infarction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bram F Coolen
- Biomedical NMR, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, the Netherlands
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37
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Geelen T, Paulis LEM, Coolen BF, Nicolay K, Strijkers GJ. Contrast-enhanced MRI of murine myocardial infarction - part I. NMR IN BIOMEDICINE 2012; 25:953-968. [PMID: 22308108 DOI: 10.1002/nbm.2768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2011] [Revised: 11/07/2011] [Accepted: 11/29/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The use of contrast agents has added considerable value to the existing cardiac MRI toolbox that can be used to study murine myocardial infarction, as it enables detailed in vivo visualization of the molecular and cellular processes that occur in the infarcted and remote tissue. A variety of non-targeted and targeted contrast agents to study myocardial infarction are available and under development. Manganese, which acts as a calcium analogue, can be used to assess cell viability. Traditionally, low-molecular-weight Gd-containing contrast agents are employed to measure infarct size in a late gadolinium enhancement experiment. Gd-based blood-pool agents are used to study the vascular status of the myocardium. The use of targeted contrast agents facilitates more detailed imaging of pathophysiological processes in the acute and chronic infarct. Cell death was visualized by contrast agents functionalized with annexin A5 that binds specifically to phosphatidylserine accessible on dying cells and with an agent that binds to the exposed DNA of dead cells. Inflammation in the myocardium was depicted by contrast agents that target cell adhesion molecules expressed on activated endothelium, by contrast agents that are phagocytosed by inflammatory cells, and by using a probe that targets enzymes excreted by inflammatory cells. Cardiac remodeling processes were visualized with a contrast agent that binds to angiogenic vasculature and with an MR probe that specifically binds to collagen in the fibrotic myocardium. These recent advances in murine contrast-enhanced cardiac MRI have made a substantial contribution to the visualization of the pathophysiology of myocardial infarction, cardiac remodeling processes and the progression to heart failure, which helps to design new treatments. This review discusses the advances and challenges in the development and application of MRI contrast agents to study murine myocardial infarction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tessa Geelen
- Biomedical NMR, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, the Netherlands
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38
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Fortune S, Jansen MA, Anderson T, Gray GA, Schneider JE, Hoskins PR, Marshall I. Development and characterization of rodent cardiac phantoms: comparison with in vivo cardiac imaging. Magn Reson Imaging 2012; 30:1186-91. [PMID: 22770689 PMCID: PMC3471072 DOI: 10.1016/j.mri.2012.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2012] [Accepted: 04/01/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The increasing availability of rodent models of human cardiovascular disease has led to a need to translate noninvasive imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) from the clinic to the animal laboratory. The aim of this study was to develop phantoms simulating the short-axis view of left ventricular motion of rats and mice, thus reducing the need for live animals in the development of MRI. Cylindrical phantoms were moulded from polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) Cryogel and attached via stiff water-filled tubing to a gear pump. Pulsatile distension of the phantoms was effected by suitable programming of the pump. Cine MRI scanning was carried out at 7 T and compared with in vivo rodent cardiac imaging. Suitable pulsatile performance was achieved with phantoms for which the PVA material had been subjected to two freeze–thaw cycles, resulting in T1 and T2 relaxation time constants of 1656±124 ms and 55±10 ms, respectively. For the rat phantom operating at 240 beats per min (bpm), the dynamic range of the outer diameter was from 10.3 to 12.4 mm with the wall thickness varying between 1.9 and 1.2 mm. Corresponding figures for the mouse phantom at 480 bpm were outer diameter range from 5.4 to 6.4 mm and wall thickness from 1.5 to 1.2 mm. Dynamic cardiac phantoms simulating rodent left ventricular motion in the short-axis view were successfully developed and compared with in vivo imaging. The phantoms can be used for future development work with reduced need of live animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven Fortune
- Medical Physics and Medical Engineering, University of Edinburgh
| | - Maurits A. Jansen
- Medical Physics and Medical Engineering, University of Edinburgh
- University and British Heart Foundation Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh
| | - Tom Anderson
- Medical Physics and Medical Engineering, University of Edinburgh
- University and British Heart Foundation Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh
| | - Gillian A. Gray
- University and British Heart Foundation Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh
| | - Jürgen E. Schneider
- British Heart Foundation Experimental MR Unit, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Oxford
| | - Peter R. Hoskins
- Medical Physics and Medical Engineering, University of Edinburgh
- University and British Heart Foundation Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh
| | - Ian Marshall
- Medical Physics and Medical Engineering, University of Edinburgh
- University and British Heart Foundation Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh
- Corresponding author. Medical Physics and Medical Engineering, University of Edinburgh.
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39
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Wu J, You J, Jiang G, Li L, Guan A, Ye Y, Li D, Gong H, Ge J, Zou Y. Noninvasive estimation of infarct size in a mouse model of myocardial infarction by echocardiographic coronary perfusion. JOURNAL OF ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE 2012; 31:1111-1121. [PMID: 22733860 DOI: 10.7863/jum.2012.31.7.1111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Animal models of myocardial infarction (MI) are widely used not only in analyses of the mechanisms but also in testing the efficacy of therapeutic strategies for the disease. It is therefore critically important but almost impossible to exactly evaluate the validity of coronary artery ligation in a mouse model of MI except by anatomic and histologic analyses. We explored a noninvasive method to estimate MI through analyses of coronary perfusion by transthoracic echocardiography in mice before and 1 day after ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. METHODS Transthoracic echocardiography-based cardiac function, geometry, and coronary perfusion, electrocardiographic findings, and serum troponin I levels were examined in C57BL6/J mice subjected to left anterior descending artery ligation. The histologic infarct size was confirmed by staining the heart with 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride. RESULTS Among all parameters, the postoperative hyperemic peak diastolic velocity and coronary flow reserve were most correlated with infarct size (R² = .8028 and .5825, respectively; both P < .0001). With an infarct size of 30% or greater indicating successful ligation and less than 30% indicating unsuccessful ligation, receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the postoperative hyperemic peak diastolic velocity and coronary flow reserve most effectively indicated the infarct size level with optimal cutoff values of 480.16 mm/s and 1.89, respectively. Furthermore, impaired cardiac function, an eccentrically expanded left ventricle, typical pathologic electrocardiographic findings, and elevated troponin I levels were observed most often in the mice with an impaired hyperemic peak diastolic velocity and coronary flow reserve. CONCLUSIONS The echocardiographic hyperemic peak diastolic velocity and coronary flow reserve can estimate the histologic infarct size in mice with coronary occlusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Wu
- Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, 180 Feng Lin Rd 200032 Shanghai, China
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Protti A, Dong X, Sirker A, Botnar R, Shah AM. MRI-based prediction of adverse cardiac remodeling after murine myocardial infarction. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2012; 303:H309-14. [PMID: 22636680 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00208.2012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Myocardial infarction (MI) results in adverse cardiac remodeling leading to heart failure and increased mortality. Experimental mouse models of MI are extensively used to identify mechanisms underlying adverse remodeling, but the extent of remodeling that occurs may be highly variable and can limit the utility to discover new disease pathways. The ability to predict the development of significant late post-MI remodeling would be invaluable in conducting such studies by increasing throughput and efficiency. This study aimed to identify potential thresholds of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) parameters measured early after murine MI that would predict the development of significant adverse remodeling at 4 wk. MI was achieved by permanent coronary ligation and animals (n = 84) were followed up for 4 wk subsequently. MRI was used to assess left ventricular (LV) volumes, mass and ejection fraction, as well as infarct size (IS). Late gadolinium enhancement cine-MRI was performed at 2 days with standard cine-MRI at 30 days post-MI. Utilizing multiple logistic regression, we found that IS >36%, at 2 days post-MI, was the overall best single predictor of adverse remodeling at 30 days (sensitivity 80.7%, specificity 88.9%; C-statistic of 0.939 from receiver-operating curve analysis). LV end-systolic volume (LVESV) >32 μl was also an excellent predictor comparable to IS. The combination of IS >36% and/or LVESV >32 μl provided the highest predictive values for late adverse remodeling among multiple predictors. This study demonstrates that MRI-based estimation of IS and ESV during the acute phase of murine MI are good predictors of subsequent adverse remodeling that may aid experimental design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Protti
- Cardiovascular Division, King's College London British Heart Foundation Centre of Excellence, United Kingdom.
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41
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Value of In Vivo T2 Measurement for Myocardial Fibrosis Assessment in Diabetic Mice at 11.75 T. Invest Radiol 2012; 47:319-23. [DOI: 10.1097/rli.0b013e318243e062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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42
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Delattre BMA, Braunersreuther V, Gardier S, Hyacinthe JN, Crowe LA, Mach F, Vallée JP. Manganese kinetics demonstrated double contrast in acute but not in chronic infarction in a mouse model of myocardial occlusion reperfusion. NMR IN BIOMEDICINE 2012; 25:489-497. [PMID: 21796712 DOI: 10.1002/nbm.1759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2011] [Revised: 04/11/2011] [Accepted: 05/10/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Manganese (Mn(2+)) is considered as a specific MRI contrast agent that enters viable cardiomyocytes through calcium pathways. Compared to extracellular gadolinium based contrast agents, it has the potential to assess cell viability. To date, only information from the washout phase after recirculation has been used for the detection and characterization of myocardial infarct. This study showed for the first time that in a mouse model of coronary occlusion-reperfusion, Mn(2+) wash-in kinetics are different at 24 h after surgery (acute infarction) than at eight days after surgery (chronic infarction). A fast but transient entry of Mn(2+) into the acute infarct area led to a double contrast between infarct and remote areas, whereas entry of Mn(2+) into the chronic infarct area remained reduced compared to remote regions during both wash-in and washout phases. The main hypothesis is that extracellular space is largely enhanced in acute infarction due to cell membrane rupture and interstitial edema, whereas scar tissue is densely composed of collagen fibers that reduce the distribution volume of free Mn(2+) ions. In addition to its ability to accurately depict the infarct area during the redistribution phase, Mn(2+) is also able to discriminate acute versus chronic injury by the observation of double-contrast kinetics in a mouse model of ischemia reperfusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bénédicte M A Delattre
- Division of Radiology, Geneva University Hospital, University of Geneva, Faculty of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland
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43
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Campbell-Washburn AE, Price AN, Wells JA, Thomas DL, Ordidge RJ, Lythgoe MF. Cardiac arterial spin labeling using segmented ECG-gated Look-Locker FAIR: Variability and repeatability in preclinical studies. Magn Reson Med 2012; 69:238-47. [DOI: 10.1002/mrm.24243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2011] [Revised: 01/16/2012] [Accepted: 02/13/2012] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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Stuckey DJ, Carr CA, Camelliti P, Tyler DJ, Davies KE, Clarke K. In vivo MRI characterization of progressive cardiac dysfunction in the mdx mouse model of muscular dystrophy. PLoS One 2012; 7:e28569. [PMID: 22235247 PMCID: PMC3250389 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0028569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2011] [Accepted: 11/10/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS The mdx mouse has proven to be useful in understanding the cardiomyopathy that frequently occurs in muscular dystrophy patients. Here we employed a comprehensive array of clinically relevant in vivo MRI techniques to identify early markers of cardiac dysfunction and follow disease progression in the hearts of mdx mice. METHODS AND RESULTS Serial measurements of cardiac morphology and function were made in the same group of mdx mice and controls (housed in a non-SPF facility) using MRI at 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after birth. Left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) systolic and diastolic function, response to dobutamine stress and myocardial fibrosis were assessed. RV dysfunction preceded LV dysfunction, with RV end systolic volumes increased and RV ejection fractions reduced at 3 months of age. LV ejection fractions were reduced at 12 months, compared with controls. An abnormal response to dobutamine stress was identified in the RV of mdx mice as early as 1 month. Late-gadolinium-enhanced MRI identified increased levels of myocardial fibrosis in 6, 9 and 12-month-old mdx mice, the extent of fibrosis correlating with the degree of cardiac remodeling and hypertrophy. CONCLUSIONS MRI could identify cardiac abnormalities in the RV of mdx mice as young as 1 month, and detected myocardial fibrosis at 6 months. We believe these to be the earliest MRI measurements of cardiac function reported for any mice, and the first use of late-gadolinium-enhancement in a mouse model of congenital cardiomyopathy. These techniques offer a sensitive and clinically relevant in vivo method for assessment of cardiomyopathy caused by muscular dystrophy and other diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Stuckey
- Cardiac Metabolism Research Group, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
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45
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Redfors B, Shao Y, Omerovic E. Myocardial infarct size and area at risk assessment in mice. Exp Clin Cardiol 2012; 17:268-272. [PMID: 23592952 PMCID: PMC3627291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Mouse models of myocardial ischemia and infarction are important in cardiovascular research. Reliable and reproducible assessment of the area at risk (AAR) and infarct size (IS) in mice is vital for deciphering mechanisms behind these common diseases, and for developing and evaluating treatment strategies. The present review will briefly describe and discuss the most common methods for determining the AAR and IS in mouse models of cardiovascular disease. Several methods exist for ex vivo assessment of IS. Conventional histological stains target the fibrous scar and require several days to pass from the time of infarct induction until the animal is euthanized, whereas triphenyltetrazolium-based techniques stain the viable tissue surrounding the infarct and can be performed on tissue harvested within a few hours after infarction. The AAR is usually stained by injecting a dye into the circulation. This dye subsequently distributes to perfused tissue but leaves the AAR unstained. In vivo assessment enables serial measurements of the IS and/or AAR and is sometimes preferable to ex vivo techniques. Echocardiography is usually the method of choice but magnetic resonance imaging-based techniques are also used. The aim of the present review was to provide basic researchers with an introduction to the various techniques used to assess and quantify the IS and AAR in experimental mouse models of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion and infarction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bjorn Redfors
- Correspondence: Dr Bjorn Redfors, Wallenberg Laboratory, Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine/C, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Bruna stråket 16, 413 45 Gothenburg, Sweden. Telephone 46-31-3427560, fax 46-31-823672, e-mail
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46
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Coolen BF, Geelen T, Paulis LEM, Nicolay K, Strijkers GJ. Regional contrast agent quantification in a mouse model of myocardial infarction using 3D cardiac T1 mapping. J Cardiovasc Magn Reson 2011; 13:56. [PMID: 21974927 PMCID: PMC3207957 DOI: 10.1186/1532-429x-13-56] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2011] [Accepted: 10/05/2011] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Quantitative relaxation time measurements by cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) are of paramount importance in contrast-enhanced studies of experimental myocardial infarction. First, compared to qualitative measurements based on signal intensity changes, they are less sensitive to specific parameter choices, thereby allowing for better comparison between different studies or during longitudinal studies. Secondly, T1 measurements may allow for quantification of local contrast agent concentrations. In this study, a recently developed 3D T1 mapping technique was applied in a mouse model of myocardial infarction to measure differences in myocardial T1 before and after injection of a liposomal contrast agent. This was then used to assess the concentration of accumulated contrast agent. MATERIALS AND METHODS Myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury was induced in 8 mice by transient ligation of the LAD coronary artery. Baseline quantitative T1 maps were made at day 1 after surgery, followed by injection of a Gd-based liposomal contrast agent. Five mice served as control group, which followed the same protocol without initial surgery. Twenty-four hours post-injection, a second T1 measurement was performed. Local ΔR1 values were compared with regional wall thickening determined by functional cine CMR and correlated to ex vivo Gd concentrations determined by ICP-MS. RESULTS Compared to control values, pre-contrast T1 of infarcted myocardium was slightly elevated, whereas T1 of remote myocardium did not significantly differ. Twenty-four hours post-contrast injection, high ΔR1 values were found in regions with low wall thickening values. However, compared to remote tissue (wall thickening > 45%), ΔR1 was only significantly higher in severe infarcted tissue (wall thickening < 15%). A substantial correlation (r = 0.81) was found between CMR-based ΔR1 values and Gd concentrations from ex vivo ICP-MS measurements. Furthermore, regression analysis revealed that the effective relaxivity of the liposomal contrast agent was only about half the value determined in vitro. CONCLUSIONS 3D cardiac T1 mapping by CMR can be used to monitor the accumulation of contrast agents in contrast-enhanced studies of murine myocardial infarction. The contrast agent relaxivity was decreased under in vivo conditions compared to in vitro measurements, which needs consideration when quantifying local contrast agent concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bram F Coolen
- Biomedical NMR, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, PO BOX 513, 5600MB, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
| | - Tessa Geelen
- Biomedical NMR, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, PO BOX 513, 5600MB, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
| | - Leonie EM Paulis
- Biomedical NMR, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, PO BOX 513, 5600MB, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
| | - Klaas Nicolay
- Biomedical NMR, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, PO BOX 513, 5600MB, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
| | - Gustav J Strijkers
- Biomedical NMR, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, PO BOX 513, 5600MB, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
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Nascimento DS, Valente M, Esteves T, de Pina MDF, Guedes JG, Freire A, Quelhas P, Pinto-do-Ó P. MIQuant--semi-automation of infarct size assessment in models of cardiac ischemic injury. PLoS One 2011; 6:e25045. [PMID: 21980376 PMCID: PMC3184116 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0025045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2011] [Accepted: 08/23/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The cardiac regenerative potential of newly developed therapies is traditionally evaluated in rodent models of surgically induced myocardial ischemia. A generally accepted key parameter for determining the success of the applied therapy is the infarct size. Although regarded as a gold standard method for infarct size estimation in heart ischemia, histological planimetry is time-consuming and highly variable amongst studies. The purpose of this work is to contribute towards the standardization and simplification of infarct size assessment by providing free access to a novel semi-automated software tool. The acronym MIQuant was attributed to this application. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Mice were subject to permanent coronary artery ligation and the size of chronic infarcts was estimated by area and midline-length methods using manual planimetry and with MIQuant. Repeatability and reproducibility of MIQuant scores were verified. The validation showed high correlation (r(midline length) = 0.981; r(area) = 0.970 ) and agreement (Bland-Altman analysis), free from bias for midline length and negligible bias of 1.21% to 3.72% for area quantification. Further analysis demonstrated that MIQuant reduced by 4.5-fold the time spent on the analysis and, importantly, MIQuant effectiveness is independent of user proficiency. The results indicate that MIQuant can be regarded as a better alternative to manual measurement. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that MIQuant is a reliable and an easy-to-use software for infarct size quantification. The widespread use of MIQuant will contribute towards the standardization of infarct size assessment across studies and, therefore, to the systematization of the evaluation of cardiac regenerative potential of emerging therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana S. Nascimento
- Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica (INEB), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Mariana Valente
- Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica (INEB), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Tiago Esteves
- Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica (INEB), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Faculdade de Engenharia, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Maria de Fátima de Pina
- Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica (INEB), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Departamento de Epidemiologia Clínica, Medicina Preditiva e Saúde Pública, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Joana G. Guedes
- Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica (INEB), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana Freire
- Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica (INEB), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Faculdade de Engenharia, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Pedro Quelhas
- Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica (INEB), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Faculdade de Engenharia, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Perpétua Pinto-do-Ó
- Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica (INEB), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- * E-mail:
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Young AA, Medway DJ, Lygate CA, Neubauer S, Schneider JE. Accelerating global left-ventricular function assessment in mice using reduced slice acquisition and three-dimensional guide-point modelling. J Cardiovasc Magn Reson 2011; 13:49. [PMID: 21917165 PMCID: PMC3182947 DOI: 10.1186/1532-429x-13-49] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2011] [Accepted: 09/14/2011] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To investigate the utility of three-dimensional guide-point modeling (GPM) to reduce the time required for CMR evaluation of global cardiac function in mice, by reducing the number of image slices required for accurate quantification of left-ventricular (LV) mass and volumes. METHODS Five female C57Bl/6 mice 8 weeks post myocardial infarction induced by permanent occlusion of the left coronary artery, and six male control (un-operated) C57Bl/6 mice, were subject to CMR examination under isoflurane anaesthesia. Contiguous short axis (SAX) slices (1 mm thick 7-9 slices) were obtained together with two long axis (LAX) slices in two chamber and four chamber orientations. Using a mathematical model of the heart to interpolate information between the available slices, GPM LV mass and volumes were determined using full slice (all SAX and two LAX), six slice (four SAX and two LAX) and four slice (two SAX and two LAX) analysis protocols. All results were compared with standard manual volumetric analysis using all SAX slices. RESULTS Infarct size was 39.1±5.1% of LV myocardium. No significant differences were found in left ventricular mass and volumes between the standard and GPM full and six slice protocols in infarcted mice (113±10, 116±11, and 117±11 mg respectively for mass), or between the standard and GPM full, six and four slice protocols in control mice, (105±14, 106±10, 104±12, and 105±7 mg respectively for mass). Significant differences were found in LV mass (135±18 mg) and EF using the GPM four slice protocol in infarcted mice (p<0.05). CONCLUSION GPM enables accurate analysis of LV function in mice with relatively large infarcts using a reduced six slice acquisition protocol, and in mice with normal/symmetrical left-ventricular topology using a four slice protocol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alistair A Young
- Department of Anatomy with Radiology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Debra J Medway
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Oxford, UK
| | - Craig A Lygate
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Oxford, UK
| | - Stefan Neubauer
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Oxford, UK
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Price AN, Cheung KK, Lim SY, Yellon DM, Hausenloy DJ, Lythgoe MF. Rapid assessment of myocardial infarct size in rodents using multi-slice inversion recovery late gadolinium enhancement CMR at 9.4T. J Cardiovasc Magn Reson 2011; 13:44. [PMID: 21892953 PMCID: PMC3182945 DOI: 10.1186/1532-429x-13-44] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2011] [Accepted: 09/05/2011] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Myocardial infarction (MI) can be readily assessed using late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR). Inversion recovery (IR) sequences provide the highest contrast between enhanced infarct areas and healthy myocardium. Applying such methods to small animals is challenging due to rapid respiratory and cardiac rates relative to T1 relaxation. METHODS Here we present a fast and robust protocol for assessing LGE in small animals using a multi-slice IR gradient echo sequence for efficient assessment of LGE. An additional Look-Locker sequence was used to assess the optimum inversion point on an individual basis and to determine most appropriate gating points for both rat and mouse. The technique was applied to two preclinical scenarios: i) an acute (2 hour) reperfused model of MI in rats and ii) mice 2 days following non-reperfused MI. RESULTS LGE images from all animals revealed clear areas of enhancement allowing for easy volume segmentation. Typical inversion times required to null healthy myocardium in rats were between 300-450 ms equivalent to 2-3 R-waves and ~330 ms in mice, typically 3 R-waves following inversion. Data from rats was also validated against triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining and revealed close agreement for infarct size. CONCLUSION The LGE protocol presented provides a reliable method for acquiring images of high contrast and quality without excessive scan times, enabling higher throughput in experimental studies requiring reliable assessment of MI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony N Price
- UCL Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging, Department of Medicine and UCL Institute of Child Health, University College London, UK
| | - King K Cheung
- UCL Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging, Department of Medicine and UCL Institute of Child Health, University College London, UK
| | - Shiang Y Lim
- The Hatter Cardiovascular Institute, University College London Hospital and Medical School, London, UK
| | - Derek M Yellon
- The Hatter Cardiovascular Institute, University College London Hospital and Medical School, London, UK
| | - Derek J Hausenloy
- The Hatter Cardiovascular Institute, University College London Hospital and Medical School, London, UK
| | - Mark F Lythgoe
- UCL Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging, Department of Medicine and UCL Institute of Child Health, University College London, UK
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50
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Stuckey DJ, Carr CA, Meader SJ, Tyler DJ, Cole MA, Clarke K. First-pass perfusion CMR two days after infarction predicts severity of functional impairment six weeks later in the rat heart. J Cardiovasc Magn Reson 2011; 13:38. [PMID: 21812990 PMCID: PMC3162911 DOI: 10.1186/1532-429x-13-38] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2011] [Accepted: 08/03/2011] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In humans, dynamic contrast CMR of the first pass of a bolus infusion of Gadolinium-based contrast agent has become a standard technique to identify under-perfused regions of the heart and can accurately demonstrate the severity of myocardial infarction. Despite the clinical importance of this method, it has rarely been applied in small animal models of cardiac disease. In order to identify perfusion delays in the infarcted rat heart, here we present a method in which a T1 weighted MR image has been acquired during each cardiac cycle. METHODS AND RESULTS In isolated perfused rat hearts, contrast agent infusion gave uniform signal enhancement throughout the myocardium. Occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery significantly reduced the rate of signal enhancement in anterior regions of the heart, demonstrating that the first-pass method was sensitive to perfusion deficits. In vivo measurements of myocardial morphology, function, perfusion and viability were made at 2 and 8 days after infarction. Morphology and function were further assessed using cine-MRI at 42 days. The perfusion delay was larger in rat hearts that went on to develop greater functional impairment, demonstrating that first-pass CMR can be used as an early indicator of infarct severity. First-pass CMR at 2 and 8 days following infarction better predicted outcome than cardiac ejection fraction, end diastolic volume or end systolic volume. CONCLUSION First-pass CMR provides a predictive measure of the severity of myocardial impairment caused by infarction in a rodent model of heart failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Stuckey
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford, UK
- Biological Imaging Centre, Imperial College, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Carolyn A Carr
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford, UK
| | - Stephanie J Meader
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford, UK
| | - Damian J Tyler
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford, UK
| | - Mark A Cole
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford, UK
| | - Kieran Clarke
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford, UK
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